In a statement, the Grammy-winner says, "I'm so excited for my first Christmas album. My grandmother Addie Collins' birthday was on Christmas Day."

Fantasia

Fantasia continues, "She was a loving woman who helped all her grandchildren understand the true meaning of the holiday, its impact on our spirituality and character as well as the importance of recognizing the value of family and significant relationships. This album is dedicated to her."

According to Fantasia, the album is an ode to singers of yesteryear who have influenced her work.

“This album pays homage to my grandmother and is a gift from me to all of those who remember their grandparents or parents putting up Christmas trees and being a blessing into people’s lives,” she explained.

“I’d also like to pay homage to the great singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles who stood strong in what they believed in—the music.

I hope that it blesses you guys. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Fantasia has also revealed the album’s artwork, which shows her standing alongside a Christmas tree. Posing elegantly in a red dress, the “American Idol” champ looks pensive with the holiday season on her mind.

Christmas After Midnight, which follows last year’s The Definition Of…, is due Oct. 6 via Concord Records.